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Selkirk International Awards New Scholarship

First Annual Scholarship Presented to Grace Kwanghui Jeong

The Selkirk College International Department capped off its successful hosting of the BC TEAL Interior Regional Conference earlier this month by awarding the first ever John Armstrong International Student Scholarship.

More than 90 people attended the BC Teachers of English as an Additional Language (BC TEAL) Conference on October 4 at Selkirk College’s Tenth Street Campus. The teachers, administrators, students and community leaders took in a full day of workshops, discussions and networking.

Grace Kwanghui Jeong (middle) was presented the first ever John Armstrong International Student Scholarship at the BC Teachers of English as an Additional Language (BC TEAL) Conference on October 4 at Selkirk College’s Tenth Street Campus. Selkirk College President Angus Graeme (left) and John Armstrong (right) presented the award.

The theme for the conference was “Interior Designs: Building Teaching and Learning Communities.” The idea of building connections throughout interior communities was central to the conference concept, considering most in attendance work in areas far removed from the Lower Mainland. To recognize presenters’ contributions to the TEAL Conference and in honour of Armstrong, each of the presenters was awarded a $25 donation to the John Armstrong International Student Scholarship.

Student Helps Build International Community at Selkirk

Though he retired from a career that spanned 34 years at Selkirk College this past spring, Armstrong was one of the participants and organizers at the conference. The educator and former department head of Selkirk International presented the first annual scholarship in his name to Grace Kwanghui Jeong.

“Grace has often given freely of her time to support international students and programming at the college,” says current Selkirk International Department head Shana Rablah. “She was one of the Masters of Ceremony at Selkirk International’s 25th Reunion in 2011, she spoke at the Selkirk College Gala when the department hosted it in 2012, she volunteered to add her student voice to the BC TEAL Conference and she has always stepped forward to help and speak out with all aspects of our department.”

Participants in the BC TEAL Conference gathered outside Mary Hall on the Tenth Street Campus for a group shot at the end of event.

The John Armstrong International Student Scholarship was started in 2011 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Selkirk International Department. In addition to this scholarship, the department also created a Philomena Archambault International Student Bursary. These two awards were created in honor of two of the department’s longest serving members and a way to always commemorate their commitment to the department and international students.

Due to a generous donation to the John Armstrong International Student Scholarship, the department was able to hand out the first award this past weekend.

Jeong—who is from South Korea—started her studies at Selkirk College in the English Language Program, successfully completed the TESOL Advanced Diploma Program and is now enrolled in the Business Administration Program where she has excelled.

“Grace has made significant contributions to the building of an international community at Selkirk College, one of the criteria in awarding this scholarship,” says Armstrong.

Organizers of this year's BC TEAL Conference would like to thank their sponsors: Selkirk International, Selkirk College, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, City of Nelson Tourist Information Centre, City of Castlegar Tourist Information Centre, Boston Pizza Castlegar, Oso Negro, Nelson Brewing Company and Jackson's Hole.